HELP - this will be my virgin sail - I need to know everything these boards don't tell you - so tell me the truth! We're in our 40's travelling with our 6 yr old daughter?

Travelbuff127,

I just posted on your other post.

But can you tell me which islands you are going to and when because then I could help you with your excursions on land.

Just so you know, we brought our daughter for her first cruise when she was 7 I think and she has been going with us every year until last year (she is now 20). She absolutely loves it. She was never sick.

I also have a page on my site about what to pack http://www.carib-cruises.com/pack-for-a-cruise.html

So which ports are you sailing to?

Lise
http://carib-cruises.com
http://photos.carib-cruises.com

Well I agree with LiseG. What are the ports, where do you leave from, when are you going. what are the specifics.
First of all you will be on a very large ship full of amenities and I think you will be amazed by how cool this ship is. Lets try to help you from the begining however.
Find out what time boarding begins and then plan to get there a bit earlier. You can get on w/o a problem and that will beat the rush later. Have all your documents ready as this will speed things up. I assume you have preregistered online. If not then do so. Its a time saver. You should have tags from RCI for your luggage. Be sure to write legibly on them. Your bags will be deliverd to your cabin. No worries.
During check in you will get an id card/pass. It looks like a credit card. Keep this w/ you at all times. You will need this to get on and get off the ship and for all onboard purchases. No cash is accepted on the ship.
All drinks (sodas and etoh) will be charged to the card plus a 15% tip for the server. If your big soda drinkers consider a soda card. Its less money.
Usually a 7 day cruise has 2 formal nights which means a dark suit for men and a dressy outfit for ladies. If you don't want to do this then on those nights you can go the buffet or order in.
On RCI there is a suggested tip rate. See their website for details. It comes to about $10.00 per person per day and you can choose to have this amt. added to your bill instead of passing out envelopes with cash or the standard way at the end of the cruise.
You by no means are obliged to take any of the ships tours and you can get off whenever you please once the ship has docked and been cleared. It would help to know the ports.
I suggest exploring the ship on day one to get used to her so to speak. Shes big and again I think you will be amazed at what you see.
And really just relax and enjoy this wonderful vacation style so many of us love. I'll bet it won't be your last cruise!
Any questions please ask. Larry

Thanks so much - I know it's Feb 2010 and I plan ahead. I leave out of Miami, got to Labadee, Georgetown, Cayman, Cozumel, Miami. Not thrilled with the itinerary and since I've been to almost all of these places already, I don't invision excursions aside from a nearby beach. Which is all we would want anyway. We don't like dressing up and my husband prefers using cash. My real problem is space - even though everyone asay you're hardly i nthe room, when we unwind we like hanging out watching a movie. If we're confined to a 2 X 4, it will be impossible to enjoy! Plus, I need a separate bed for my daughter. There again a problem because the suites are expensive??? I so don't want to do this but my husband wants to go with these particular friends

Hi again Dee,

Ok so Labadee is their private island and you'll be doing beach , there is snorkeling if you want and there is a water park where your daughter will have lots of fun, it's on the right as you get to the island.

In Cayman, you just take a taxi to 7 mile beach and if you want quiet, ask the driver to take you in front of the Governor's house.

In Cozumel, we like to take a taxi to Chankanaab National Park which is only a 10 minute drive by taxi and 2 years ago i think taxi was about 10-15. and you can check their site
http://www.cozumelparks.com/eng/parks-chankanaab.asp for the entrance fee. It's a beautiful area with free chairs and shade and there is a also part of it where you can swim with the dolphins. We did it a few years back and I loved it. It's a great spot for snorkeling and there is a beach for your daughter as well.

As for the cabins, if you can afford one with a balcony it does add to the living space. Since we first had a balcony on our 11th cruise, I told my husband I was now spoiled and would want one on each cruise. I like to relax there at night and read my book before bed to the sound of the ocean.

Did you see the 360 tour of the cabins here http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findac...=R&shipCode=LB
See the sofa in the foreground, that would be your daughter's bed, the steward will open it up flat for her for the night.

But believe me when i say you won't need to unwind, because you will be in that state most of the time. There are many spots around the ship where you can just sit, have a drink and relax. I haven't check but there might be a movie theatre.

On the ship, to buy anything like drinks or in the shops, you use your cabin card/key just like a credit card and it is charged to your cabin and you get the bill at the end of the cruise or you can ask for a statement any time during the cruise.

Hope this helps.

Lise
http://carib-cruises.com
http://photos.carib-cruise.com

Also on this ship you can view your bill on your TV as well.